[on mourning paper - (copy by Constance Talbot?)] <1>
Nov 29. 1851.
(Copy)
My dear Talbot
I hear from Mrs Talbot that the Museum has been looked over & sent with other things to Iford;<2> so now there is nothing belonging to me in your house, save the Pianoforte, with music and music box, of which [sic] you kindly said you would allow me to leave at Lacock for awhile.[sic] There are some scrap books & Prints to be looked over by Caroline <3> who had not time to do so the other day. I have begged Mrs T.<4> to put mine aside or send them at once to Oxford.–<5> I have unavoidably given you all a great deal of trouble & annoyance, I fear, but it was better to finish at once. I should have consulted my own convenience more by accepting your offer about the books, but I really could not renounce them. I hope that you see this, and attribute my very reluctant refusal to the real motives.
The books from Sackville St<6> are in such enormous chests & so inaccessibly placed, that I could not ascertain whether they were right; besides I have been so short of time – I leave this on Wednesday & shall try to wish you good bye in person. Accept my best thanks for all your kindness to me,
& believe me Affly yours
(Signed) T Gaisford
Notes:
1. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding(1810- 9 Aug 1851), WHFT's half-sister and Gaisford's new wife, had just died.
2. Iford Manor, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, the home of Thomas Gaisford DD (1797-1855), father of the writer.
3. Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808- 2 Nov 1881); WHFT's half-sister; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1840–1854 & 1863–1865; m. 3rd Earl Mt Edgcumbe 6 Dec 1831.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (30 Jan 1811 - 9 Sep 1880), m. WHFT 20 Dec 1832. The 'Museum' was a room size cabinet of curiosities at Lacock Abbey.
5. His father was Dean (Master) of Christchurch College and Curator of the Bodleian Library, Oxford University.
6. 31 Sackville Street, former London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT and other members of the family.